Line spacer, damper and corona eliminating means



March. 1967 s. N. SCHLEIN LINE SPACER, DAMPER AND CORONA ELIMINATINGMEANS Filed Aug. 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. I

INVENTOR. S y 0- SC /lh March 7, 1967 s. N SCHLEIYN LINE SPACER, DAMPERAND CORONA ELIMINATING MEANS Filed Aug. 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. Sey a y/V Sch/el in the larger sizes of conductors.

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United States Patent Gil-ice 3,303,228 Patented Mar. 7, 1967 3,308,228LINE SPACER, DAMPER AND CORONA ELIMINATING MEANS Seymour N. Schlein,University Heights, Ohio, assignor to The Fanner Manufacturing Company,a division of Textron Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of RhodeIsland Filed Aug. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 480,850 13 Claims. (Cl. 17442)increase the power handling capacity of high voltage lines.

Among the problems encountered in such power distribution systems may beincluded that of holding the lines in the desired spaced relation. Thisis important because the vibrations set up in the lines cause thespacing to vary. In addition to the bending of the lines, particularlyat the places where the lines are supported, the

vibration causes the lines to strike each other, Which causes severedeterioriation. This problem is particularly acute Due to the large size(4/0 ACSR) the use of spacers of the prior art requires the use ofelements that are so large that they become diflicult, if notimpractical, to install on the line. These prior devices also have thetendency to enhance the corona Lines of this type carry as much as 345kv. and it is contemplated that even higher potentials be used. Inaddition, when the spacer elements of the prior art are madesufliciently heavy to maintain the desired spacing, they become so stiffas to lose their efliciency as a damper. e

- By the present invention I have provided a device which is"easy toapply to the line and by workers of a limited experience. When appliedto the line the spacing is maintained andthe vibrations are dampened,which helps to maintain the spacing. In addition, the construction issuch that there are no sharp projections and corona is prevented.

, Because there are only a few parts needed, it is economical toproduce, and once assembled on the lines has specification.

In the drawings: I FIG. '1 is a plan view of a pair of devices of theinvention illustrating the manner of their connection to a pair oflines, which are shown in fragment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section taken fromthe line 33 of FIG. 2 and with parts broken away to show the otherwisehidden parts; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic View on a reduced scale, similar to FIG. 2, ofa modification.

Briefly, the invention contemplates a pair of elongated clamping deviceswhich are used in conjunction with a spacer element, the clampingdevices connecting the spacer element between the lines. The clampingdevices each include a portion for engagement with the line for aportion of the length of the line and a portion for engagement with thespacer element. In its preferred form, corona eliminating means isprovided at each end through which the line and spacer element entersand exits.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a pair of lines to be held in spaced relationare shown at L. The spacer element in this instance comprises anelongated hoop-shaped element 10 which may be made of heavy gauge metal,such as aluminum or of steel with a non-rusting protective coating. Theelement has a flattened portion 10a on each side which is placed in theclamp means with the line, and the clamping means tightened about theline and spacer elements by suitable cap screws, as later described.

Each of the clamp means is made in two parts, one part being the mirrorimage of the other except for the means whereby they are securedtogether.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the clamp means parts each include a pair ofsemi-spherical hollow corona ball ends 14 separated by the line andspacer clamping portion 16. The ball ends are provided with a pair ofopening 18 and 20 respectively, for the entrance and exit of the line Land spacer member 10.

The spacer clamping portion 16 is of generally pearshaped cross sectionand at one side is formed to provide a generally semicircular channel 24having wedge-shaped longitudinally extending lands 26. A liner section28 is provided for the channel and is made of a semi-resilient plasticwhich is formed in situ whereby it adheres to the wall 24 andprojections 26. Preferably during the formation of the plastic linerhelical spring wires 30 are placed in the depressions between the lands26 and cast in position along with the plastic. It is preferred that thespring elements have an open helical conformation, that is, the pitchlengths of the helices are greater than the pitch diameter. The innersurface 32 of the plastic liner is semi'cylindrical in form, and has afriction enhancing substance such as silica sand on its line engagingsurface.

At the other side each of the sections is formed with a secondsemi-cylindrical channel 34 having a longitudinally extending land 35.The channel so formed is provided with a plasticliner 38 similar to thatof the line gripping part 28, including the helical spring member 39,except that the seat 38 for engagement with the spacer 'mcmbers issemi-circular at one end 42 and has a flat wall 44. When the two partsare assembled, this provides a transversely elongated channel wherebythe flattened part 10a of the spacer member may be securely gripped.This channel could also be round and provided with a grip enhancingmaterial on the surface it it was desired to use a loop spacer elementwhich was round at the places where it would be clamped.

The two clamp elements are held together in assembled relation with eachother, the line and spacer means by cap screws46, the heads of whichseat in recesses 48 in the one part and the stems of which are screwedinto blind holes 50 in the other part.

When installing the devices on a line, the two housing halves areassembled on the line with the seats 32 in engagement with the line onopposite sides and with the spacer element disposed in the other channelseats 44. Then the screws 46 are securely tightened, causing the seats32 to be firmly pressed into engagement with the periphery of the lineand the seats 44 in engagement with the flattened part of the spacerelement.

In its preferred form of installation, the assembly of the lines, spacerelements and clamp means is that of FIG. 4 with the angle to thehorizontal being 45. This is facilitated by the angle of the channel4244. It will be appreciated, however, that the angular position of thespacer element may be varied within wide limits, due to the resiliencyof the plastic.

Among the results which contribute to the improved operation is the factthat when the lines vibrate there is a rotatitonal or twisting movementof a line about the lines axis. This movement is transmitted from theline to the liners 28 and hence to the housing parts. Since the force istransmitted through the plastic which is of a semi-resilient nature, aportion of this force is absorbed by the plastic. Thus the turning ofthe line sets up a tension which gradually increases with the degree ofturning. These forces are then transmitted to the spacer member. It willbe noted that the distance from the axis of the channel 32 to the axisof channel 44 constitutes a lever arm, and that since the twisting forcestarts at the axis of 32 as a fulcrum, a considerable mechanicaladvantage is realized in favor of the spacer element. Thus much lighterweight spacer elements may be used. The rotational effect transmittedfrom the line to the clamp means is transferred and absorbed by thespacer element. The tendency for it to rotate at its clamped center isresisted because the other side is held in the other clamp means. Thereis a resilient absorption of the rotational effect in the liner 38 aswell as in the spacer element itself. The same action is transmittedfrom the other parallel line to the spacer means and consequently theVibrational forces that are attempting to be transmitted from one lineto the other cancel each other out and/or are absorbed. The fact thatthere is some resiliency in the spacer means also has a dampening effectfor these forces. The twisting forces of the line are nearly allcompletely absorbed in the plastic liner which results in considerabledampening at this point. In this respect, the helical elements 30 and40, embedded in the plastic, perform two functions. First, theyreinforce the plastic and this allows the plastic to be held in tighterengagement with the line, and second, they provide additional shearresistance to the plastic itself. In this facet they act in cooperationwith the lands 26.

The corona balls 14 at the ends of the devices provide for a largevoltage field distribution and eliminate the corona discharge thatordinarily is prevalent in the prior spacers.

The spacer portion of the element can also be used without the coronashield when there is no corona problem. The invention can also be usedfor the spacing of three or more lines by providing a second spacerelement gripping portion on the opposite side of the line grippingportion. Such a device is shown in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4 three lines L are held in spaced relation by the elements 16which are gripped by the liners 38-38 and the lines by the liners 28.The operation is substantially the same as described.

Having thus described the invention in an embodiment thereof I am awarethat numerous and extensive departures may be made therefrom withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A line spacer and damper comprising a clamp means and a spacer means,said clamp means being arranged to clamp a line and said spacer meansincluding a pair of clamp members formed with first cooperatingelongated channels for clamping engagement with a line and secondcooperating elongated non-circular channels in clamping engagement withthe spacer means, said clamp means being substantially longerlongitudinally of said channels than transversely thereof, said spacermeans including a closed loop having portions for extending alongside apair of lines, and said portions of said spacer means which extendalongside said channel being formed complementary to said channels.

2. A line spacer and damper comprising a clamp means and a spacer means,said clamp means being arranged to clamp a line and said spacer meansincluding a pair of clamp members formed with first cooperatingelongated channels for clamping engagement with a line and secondcooperating elongated channels in clamping engagement with the spacermeans, said clamp means being substantially longer longitudinally ofsaid channels than transversely thereof, said channels being providedwith a resilient liner in interlocking engagement with said channels,said liners being reinforced with open helical elements extendinglongitudinally therein, and said liners being formed with line andspacer means gripping surfaces.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein said liners areinterlocked in said channels by inwardly extending ribs on said channelwalls and said reinforcing means are disposed in the spaces between saidribs.

4. A line spacer and damper comprising a clamp means and a spacer means,said clamp means being arranged to clamp a line and said spacer meansincluding a pair of clamp members formed with first cooperatingelongated channels for clamping engagement with a line and secondcooperating elongated channels in clamping engagement with the spacermeans, said clamp means being substantially longer longitudinally ofsaid channels than transversely thereof, the ends of each of said clampmeans being provided with enlarged hollow ball-shaped elements, saidelements being formed with inlet and exit openings for said line andspacer means.

5. In combination with a pair of lines to be held in spaced relation toeach other, means for holding said lines in spaced relation and fordam-ping vibrations in the line comprising clamp means and spacer means,said clamp means comprised of half sections secured together andclamping the lines and spacer means, each clamp means being formed witha first channel, a resilient lining in said channel and formed with aninner line gripping portion and a second channel with a resilient liningtherein in engagement with said spacer means, said first channel havinga grip enhancing material in contact with the line.

6. A line spacer, damper and corona eliminating means comprising ahousing having hollow ball end portions and connecting means connectingthe end portions, a spacer member including portions for extending alonga pair of spaced lines and portions for separating the lines, saidconnecting means being formed to provide a first channel for grippingthe line and a second channel gripping said spacer member.

7. A device as described in claim 6, wherein said second channel iselongated transversely to provide a major and minor axis, said spacermember being of complementary configuration to said second channel atthe places said spacer member is gripped by the walls of said secondchannel.

8. A device as described in claim 7, wherein the major axis of saidsecond channel is oblique to a plane passing through the center of saidchannels.

9. A line spacer and damper comprising at least three clamp means and atleast three spacer means, each clamp means having a central linereceiving channel and a pair of spacer receiving channels on oppositesides of said central channels, each of said central channels being inclamping engagement with a line, and each spacer member being engaged byone of said spacer receiving channels of tWo adjacent clamp means.

10. The combination of claim 9 further characterized by each of saidclamp means having a pair of hollow ball end portions whereby toeliminate corona discharge.

11. The combination of claim 9 further characterized by a resilientliner disposed in each of said channels.

12. The combination of claim 9, wherein said spacer receiving channelsare non-circular and said spacer means includes non-circular portionscomplementary to said noncircular channels disposed therein.

13. The combination of claim 14, wherein each clamp means includes apair of mating half-sections secured together.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 199,721 9/1958 Austria.

Varney. Kaminski et a1. 174146 X 5 OTHER REFERENCES Perrone et aL174*146 X Reuther. German A-pphcatxon No. 1,117,184, publ. Hammel et aL174 146 X November 16, 1961, class 174/146. Torr 174146 X LARAMIE E.ASKIN, Primary Examiner.

1. A LINE SPACER AND DAMPER COMPRISING A CLAMP MEANS AND A SPACER MEANS,SAID CLAMP MEANS BEING ARRANGED TO CLAMP A LINE AND SAID SPACER MEANSINCLUDING A PAIR OF CLAMP MEMBERS FORMED WITH FIRST COOPERATINGELONGATED CHANNELS FOR CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH A LINE AND SECONDCOOPERATING ELONGATED NON-CIRCULAR CHANNELS IN CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITHTHE SPACER MEANS, SAID CLAMP MEANS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LONGERLONGITUDINALLY OF SAID CHANNELS THAN TRANSVERSELY THEREOF, SAID SPACERMEANS INCLUDING A CLOSED LOOP HAVING PORTION FOR EXTENDING ALONGSIDE APAIR OF LINES, AND SAID PORTIONS OF SAID SPACER MEANS WHICH EXTENDALONGSIDE SAID CHANNEL BEING FORMED COMPLEMENTARY TO SAID CHANNELS.